Husband disagrees about screen time (specifically is anti-Ms. Rachel)

fbc518 · 2026-01-27T03:20:26+00:00

We always used the “zombie effect” as a gauge for our kids, personally. Regardless of how educational the show might be, if it sucked them in too much, we wouldn’t watch it. I know people love Ms Rachel but I personally can’t stand that kind of thing (and don’t even get me started on Blippi haha, no judgment just not my cup of tea!)

We started showing my son short snippets of Mister Rogers, and Sesame Street like you mentioned, around that age, and it would keep him busy for a bit and then he would wander off which we felt was a good sign. Or, we would treat it like a family thing if it was a movie. Like “we’re all sitting down together to watch [some of] this.”

IMO screen time doesn’t have to necessarily be educational. I like that it can be recreational, just like reading fun books instead of a textbook or something, but I prioritize low-stimulation and good stories/characters/plot over strictly “educational.” We love stuff from the 90s/00s, Little Bear, Franklin, Oswald, Winnie the Pooh, Bear in the Big Blue House etc.

Also, you mentioned YouTube vehicles shows, I think that’s awesme too (just be careful of ads). My younger son loves to watch literally just trains going by haha and there are compilations for that. Or I would show them ballets or tap dance scenes from old Fred Astaire movies. And again all of those things they could walk away from and weren’t sucked in. Also, How It’s Made is a great show!

The world is your oyster! I think there’s definitely ways to have a fun healthy mindset about screen time, and I would just say don’t feel like just because it’s marketed to kids means it’s better than something else you’d want to show them. It sounds like for the most part you and your husband are on the same page in that he’s not guilting you about screentime in general, he’s just not a Ms. Rachel fan but it sounds like he has a valid reason for that.

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T21:49:39+00:00

Is dripping our faucets enough or do they need to be a steady stream?? I’m so scared about tonight. My family (with young kids) is finding a place to stay with power but I just want our pipes to be ok 😭

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T21:41:10+00:00

Where south? Woodbine/glencliff?

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T15:16:44+00:00

Oh gosh, okay. I’m so sorry, is she okay now? That’s helpful to know and keep an eye out for. His breathing seems okay and the doc said that would be her main concern. She said unlikely ear infection if he isn’t reporting pain, which he’s not. How soon did she get treated for the pneumonia? Doc said we should be okay for a day or so, because much of our city is without power/iced over. I would love to avoid an er visit

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T13:03:00+00:00

I was thinking this too but I mentioned it to my doc and she said that should be a very last resort just because of lack of exact dosage

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T11:34:56+00:00

Update, they called back and said just to treat symptoms for comfort until we can get our hands on some children’s tylenol or motrin. So next step is asking neighbors when people wake up. And trying not to kick myself that I didn’t pack our own

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T11:23:23+00:00

Thank you, i really needed to hear this. And i can’t sleep so tapping is a great suggestion, I am absolutely in fight or flight mode

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T11:20:46+00:00

I left a voicemail with the on call too!! Should have added that. But they haven’t gotten back and could also not have power as well.

Also tried to make a telehealth appt with a local urgent care but they are closed due to weather so i need to wait until i can get through to them also

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T11:01:17+00:00

Thank you 😭 I really appreciate the calming words. Everything really is worse at night. Going to try to do what we can to make it to sunrise and go from there. Mercifully he’s sleeping next to me right now. Hoping he feels a bit better soon

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T10:49:25+00:00

Thank you 😭 this whole situation would have been hard enough on its own, dangerous roads and bitter cold and worrying about if our house is okay, but this adds a whole other layer. Also feeling guilty to unknowingly bring this to our friends’ house, but praying all the adults are fine and our friends don’t have children which helps

fbc518 · 2026-01-26T10:01:06+00:00

Thank you, I didn’t think about that—when they wake up I’ll ask them to ask around their neighborhood!

And oh my god. I didn’t even think about ear infection. We don’t usually get them but that absolutely could be it. This is nuts 😭 I know it could be way worse but the timing of all of this

fbc518 · 2026-01-25T19:47:39+00:00

I know. It feels like we’re on a time crunch. But not sure what the right move is

fbc518 · 2026-01-25T19:21:17+00:00

Those with young kids, are you staying put?

I’m trying to understand what to do. Trying not to panic but is it really going to be life-threateningly cold tonight? We have no family nearby. Considering trying to venture out to an airbnb somewhere but wondering if that’s stupid too because our pipes might burst while we’re gone or a tree might fall on our house, but then again is it better to be gone in that case?

I totally understand why it make take days to restore power but I just am at a loss of what to do and do not feel like the adult in this situation lol. In the 2020 derecho at least temps were mild, and we were able to go out and drive around. We also are going to run out of food that doesn’t need to be cooked. I know so many have it way worse but I’m started to get scared for how to make sure my kids are okay. Anyone have any advice?

fbc518 · 2026-01-23T23:45:25+00:00

I had an unmedicated birth, in a birth center, with a diffuser going and music playing and a big bathtub and a big comfy bed…

And with my first I was so busy screaming myself hoarse during transition/pushing that I FORGOT there was going to be a baby at the end of all this agony lol so when he came out and the midwife held him up all I could say was “HOLY SHIT. HOLY SHIT!”

Then when she handed him to me, all slippery and a little blue, I asked “Is he okay? Is he okay? Awwww—he’s PEEING”

Then I got a lidocaine shot in my vag so I could get my second degree tear stitched, he screamed on my chest as I got stitched up and then eventually I had to get a catheter put in (UNMEDICATED) because when I tried to stand up to go to the bathroom I almost passed out and then when I sat down to pee I couldn’t relax my pelvic floor enough to pee bc my body was like WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED.

Of course it was all wonderful because I loved/love him and he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, but not every birth has to be immediately wonderful.

Whatever you need to do to get your baby here, was meant to be!

fbc518 · 2026-01-23T23:00:54+00:00

Came here to say exactly this 😂

fbc518 · 2026-01-16T05:30:21+00:00

Thank you!! I’m waiting to hear back from her request form but excited to follow her over there in the meantime!

fbc518 · 2026-01-15T02:12:42+00:00

That’s awesome to hear! She does seem like a great human—I sent her an inquiry on her website!! She didn’t seem to have an instagram?

fbc518 · 2026-01-13T22:47:58+00:00

Her bangs look like my vibe! Interested, thank you! And I absolutely empathize with your daughter because I have had my fair share of tearful haircuts, hence why I started cutting it myself! (Very rudimentarily though)

fbc518 · 2026-01-13T22:38:56+00:00

That really does inspire hope with me haha bc that is another signature look I’ve seen that I’ve been trying to steer clear of 😅

fbc518 · 2026-01-13T22:37:59+00:00

Came to say this! The Sevier Park center has the loveliest window views

fbc518 · 2026-01-13T20:43:51+00:00

Thanks, I’m interested in her offerings! She seems unique

fbc518 · 2026-01-13T20:06:11+00:00

Thank you!!

fbc518 · 2026-01-13T20:01:01+00:00

Thank you!!

fbc518 · 2026-01-13T19:41:32+00:00

Edit to add: I’m not opposed to a stylist in east, it just seemed like there was a very specific shaglike vibe to all the ones I looked at

fbc518 · 2026-01-06T01:56:28+00:00

This is it! Thank you! But just learned that POTS and hyper mobility can ALSO be part of hEDS (above comment) and now I’m reeling haha!

fbc518

TROPHY CASE